- Taking an Interest in Others. “You never know when you’ll meet someone who will become a future business associate, client, customer, or close friend.” Stone provides concrete tips for getting to know the people you come into contact with, including asking questions, inviting someone to coffee, hosting a party, and using such small gestures as a phone call just to say thank you, or walking someone to the elevator.
- Be Part of the Team. Before becoming a leader, you must be an effective team player. This means going the extra mile—being willing to do what needs to be done, even if it isn’t in your job description, being someone the team can depend on, and learning to get along with others, even those you’d never choose to spend time with.
Stone also deals with issues that become essential as careers advance, including managing nice (offering constructive criticism, keeping an open door, and even firing employees), dealing with customers and clients (taking a personal interest, staying in touch, and handling mistakes), and becoming a great leader (communicating vision, leading by example, and exuding confidence, not arrogance).
“Winning isn’t about how much money is in your bank account, but rather how you conduct yourself and how you inspire others to be better. And when you are proud, happy, and excited about waking up every day and eagerly look to the future, personal and financial success usually follows,” writes Stone. In Winning Nice, she offers concrete advice and dozens of examples to help people take control of their future and make a positive impact—while achieving remarkable career success.
Dawna Stone is publisher of the award-winning Her Sports + Fitness magazine and has worked as an investment banker, management consultant, company president, and senior executive at a publicly traded company. Her business skills as well as her calm, professional demeanor enabled her to win The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, Matt, and two dogs.
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